John 5:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But he answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I too am working.”

Berean Standard Bible:

But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.”

American Standard Version:

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} Jesus^{G2424} answered^{G611} them^{G846}, My^{G3450} Father^{G3962} worketh^{G2038} hitherto^{{G2193}{G737}}, and I^{G2504} work^{G2038}.

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Commentary for John 5:17

John 5:17 is a pivotal verse in the Gospel of John, capturing a moment in which Jesus defends his actions against the accusations of the Jewish leaders. The historical context is crucial: Jesus has just healed a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years on the Sabbath, a day of rest strictly observed by Jewish law. The act of healing, which involved carrying his mat, was considered work and thus a violation of Sabbath regulations.

In response to the ensuing controversy, Jesus declares, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." This statement is rich in theological implications. Firstly, it asserts the continuity of work between God the Father and Jesus himself, implying a unity of purpose and action that speaks to Jesus' divine sonship. By referring to God as "My Father," Jesus is making a claim to a unique relationship with God, which the Jewish leaders would understand as a claim to divinity—a notion that would have been deeply controversial and was eventually central to his trial and crucifixion.

Moreover, the verse touches on the theme of Sabbath observance, challenging the legalistic interpretation of the day's purpose. Jesus suggests that divine work, which includes acts of compassion and healing, does not cease on the Sabbath. This indicates a shift from a rigid adherence to law to a principle of mercy and the ongoing, life-giving work of God.

The verse also prefigures the later Christological debates about the nature of Christ and his relationship to the Father, which would become foundational to Christian doctrine. In essence, John 5:17 presents Jesus as both the Son who works in obedience to the Father and as one who shares the Father's divine prerogatives, thus affirming his equality with God and his authority to act on the Sabbath.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2424
   There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
   Transliteration: Iēsoûs
   Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
   
3. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
4. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3450
   There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μοῦ
   Transliteration: moû
   Pronunciation: moo
   Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3962
   There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πατήρ
   Transliteration: patḗr
   Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
   Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2038
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐργάζομαι
   Transliteration: ergázomai
   Pronunciation: er-gad'-zom-ahee
   Description: middle voice from ἔργον; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.:--commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2193
   There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἕως
   Transliteration: héōs
   Pronunciation: heh'-oce
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place):--even (until, unto), (as) far (as), how long, (un-)til(-l), (hither-, un-, up) to, while(-s).
   
9. Strong's Number: G737
   There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄρτι
   Transliteration: árti
   Pronunciation: ar'-tee
   Description: adverb from a derivative of αἴρω (compare ἄρτος) through the idea of suspension; just now:--this day (hour), hence(-forth), here(-after), hither(-to), (even) now, (this) present.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2504
    There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κἀγώ
    Transliteration: kagṓ
    Pronunciation: kam-eh'
    Description: from καί and ἐγώ; so also the dative case , and accusative case and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me:--(and, even, even so, so) I (also, in like wise), both me, me also.